• Hebrew Nam<strong>in</strong>g Events. What is morebasic to one’s self-identity than a name?The fact that booklets <strong>of</strong> Hebrew nameswith their mean<strong>in</strong>g are not freely distributedas part <strong>of</strong> a program to encourage theuse <strong>of</strong> <strong>Jewish</strong> names is absurd!One <strong>of</strong> our synagogues adopted a novel approach.They organized a “Hebrew NameNight”. Everyone was given a name tagwith his/her name written on it. Those whodidn’t know their name were given the opportunityto choose a Hebrew name. TheHebrew names were entered <strong>in</strong> the synagoguerecords.• Celebration <strong>of</strong> Hebrew birthdays on theHebrew date• Activities <strong>in</strong>volv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>tensive, but non<strong>in</strong>timidat<strong>in</strong>glisten<strong>in</strong>g. On special occasionspart <strong>of</strong> all <strong>of</strong> a speaker’s remarksshould be delivered <strong>in</strong> Hebrew. It is essentialthat the remarks that are spoken <strong>in</strong>English not be a translation or restatement<strong>of</strong> the Hebrew. The reason <strong>for</strong> this is thatthere has to be some “ga<strong>in</strong>” realized byknow<strong>in</strong>g Hebrew. Appropriate sett<strong>in</strong>gs <strong>for</strong>Hebrew remarks are “greet<strong>in</strong>gs” or shortspeeches at banquets, bar-mitzvahspeeches, toasts, portions <strong>of</strong> sermons.• Invite Israeli Youth to visit with studentsand talk with them <strong>in</strong> Hebrew.• Hebrew plays and concerts by Israelirock, pop groups, comedians, etc., todemonstrate that the breadth and vitality <strong>of</strong>Hebrew culture is not restricted to sacredand <strong>in</strong>tellectual spheres. Opportunities <strong>for</strong>speak<strong>in</strong>g Hebrew could <strong>in</strong>clude a Hebrewpicnic, Hebrew skit night, an all-Hebrewsocial dance, a hike, sleigh ride, etc.• A Hebrew version <strong>of</strong> the “FrenchContest” (An <strong>in</strong>ter-city, all day conclave <strong>of</strong>French students who conduct debates andpresent musical, dramatic, and other culturalactivities <strong>in</strong> a competitive and socialframework.) A Hebrew essay/ poetry contest.• Merit badges, award p<strong>in</strong>s and otherprizes <strong>for</strong> Hebrew <strong>Excellence</strong>.Whom Does Hebrew“Belong” To?The po<strong>in</strong>t is a rather obvious one, but itneeds to be po<strong>in</strong>ted out that if modernHebrew is to be a unify<strong>in</strong>g <strong>for</strong>ce among the<strong>Jewish</strong> people, it cannot be perceived asthe private doma<strong>in</strong> <strong>of</strong> the State <strong>of</strong> Israel.If modern Hebrew, with the “sephardic”pronunciation is seen as the exclusiveemblem <strong>of</strong> Israelis (<strong>in</strong> some outdatedquarters, even seen as belong<strong>in</strong>g to “secular”Israelis—as illogical as this may be)or alternatively, learn<strong>in</strong>g Hebrew is seen asthe practice <strong>of</strong> persons dest<strong>in</strong>ed to makealiyah, then it can be dismissed by allothers.Modern Hebrew culture, Hebrew language,liv<strong>in</strong>g and spoken, should be recognizedas a natural component <strong>of</strong> be<strong>in</strong>g<strong>Jewish</strong>. The knowledge <strong>of</strong> the languageand ability to use it with ease should beseen as an <strong>in</strong>dispensable adjunct <strong>of</strong> afuller and more mean<strong>in</strong>gful <strong>Jewish</strong> life.To be sure, this attitude further emphasizesthe central and creative role played by theState <strong>of</strong> Israel <strong>for</strong> <strong>Jewish</strong> creativity. Itmakes study and liv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> Israel even moreimportant. It encourages a close follow<strong>in</strong>g<strong>of</strong> Israeli cultural developments throughoutworld Jewry.P A G E 34 • C O N T I N U I T Y M A G A Z I N E
A P U B L I C A T I O N O F Y I T Z H A K R A B I N H I G H S C H O O LYour Property.Our Priority.Best Wishes1737 Woodward Drive, 2nd FloorOttawa, Ontario K2C 0P9Tel:(613) 230-2100 Fax:(613) 230-9880In support <strong>of</strong>Yitzhak Rab<strong>in</strong> High SchoolBakermet Inc.“ A L i f e t i m e o f L e a r n i n g ” • P A G E 35
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